Colostrum: 6 things to know

Practical guide

• What exactly is colostrum?
• How long does colostrum last and how much is it produced?
• What are the benefits of colostrum? What is its composition?
• Can you recover and store your colostrum before giving birth? How to do?
• What should I do if I have little or no colostrum? Does this mean I won't be able to breastfeed?
• Is colostrum important if I don't want to breastfeed? Can we only give colostrum?

What exactly is colostrum?

Colostrum is the very first breast milk, secreted during pregnancy and during the first days after the baby's birth. False twin of mature milk, it is nevertheless radically different. It comes in a thicker, creamier form and its color ranges from pale yellow to orange. It is often called "liquid gold" because it is packed with nutrients and antibodies essential for newborn health.

💡 Please note: colostrum production sometimes begins as early as the second trimester of pregnancy, well before delivery.

Very small quantity initially: at birth, the breasts produce about 2 to 20 ml of colostrum per feeding, but this is more than enough for your baby.

Texture and taste: colostrum has a rather viscous texture. Its taste is slightly sweet and salty: it is perfectly suited to the newborn's palate.

Key role in immunity: it prepares baby's intestinal flora and transmits essential antibodies to help fight infections.

Birth support

Did you know?

Ysé Naissance doulas can complete your pregnancy monitoring. They offer complete support to prepare and be completely informed of the steps and steps to plan.

Discover prenatal classes

How long does colostrum last and how much is it produced?

Colostrum production sometimes begins in the second half of pregnancy and continues until 48 to 96 hours after delivery, then it gradually gives way to transitional milk.

🍼 No need to produce huge quantities: the baby's small stomach is adapted to very small quantities. For example, on the first day it measures about the size of a cherry (5-7 ml).

Day after birth	Capacity of the baby's stomach	Average colostrum production
Day 1	5-7 ml (a cherry)	2-10 ml per feeding
Day 2	10-13ml	5-15 ml per feeding
Day 3-4	22-27ml	15-30 ml per feeding This is the gradual transition to mature milk.

Birth support

Discover our team

Varied personalities forming a dedicated team to offer you support that suits you.

Book a discovery call

What are the benefits of colostrum? What is its composition?

Colostrum offers the equivalent of one immune shield for the newborn, combined with nutrients perfectly adapted to their body.

Main benefits of colostrum:

• Immunity: it contains an exceptional quantity of antibodies and leukocytes (white blood cells) to protect baby against bacterial or viral infections.
• Facilitates transit: thanks to its laxative properties, it helps the baby quickly evacuate meconium (first very dark stools), thus limiting the risk of jaundice.
• Promotes the maturation of the digestive tract: it lines and protects the intestinal mucosa, limiting the entry of pathogens.
• Healing and development: rich in growth factors, colostrum contributes to cellular repair and tissue growth.
• Adjusted nutritional intake: it contains proteins, vitamins (A, E, K, B12), zinc, sodium, potassium and less fat than mature milk, to facilitate absorption.

Compositionally, colostrum is much more concentrated than mature milk. It contains up to 10 times more antibodies ! Its richness in immunoglobulins (especially the IgA class) makes it a milk with high medicinal value.

Can you recover and store your colostrum before giving birth? How to do?

Yes, it is entirely possible to collect and store colostrum during pregnancy, as soon as you approach the term (generally from 36-37 weeks), unless medically contraindicated.
This practice, called "antenatal expression of colostrum", is particularly recommended in certain specific situations: gestational diabetes, history of neonatal hypoglycemia, planned cesarean section, mother-baby separation to be expected, or previous difficult breastfeeding.

🖐️ How to do?

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Massage your breast gently, then express one drop after another, gently pinching the area behind the areola.
• Collect colostrum in a small, sterile syringe or mini, sterile container provided for this purpose.
• Store in the refrigerator 24 to 48 hours or place the identified syringe/sample in the freezer.

This preparation can really reassure, especially when you want to feel independent and equipped from birth. To deepen your knowledge or learn the manual expression technique, do not hesitate to consult or request the accompaniment of one birth attendant or one lactation consultant.

What should I do if I have little or no colostrum? Does this mean I won't be able to breastfeed?

Don't worry: most women produce colostrum, even if it's not visible to the naked eye before birth. The mechanism of initiation of lactation varies greatly from one person to another.

Important note: The perception of absence of colostrum is not an indicator of the ability to breastfeed. Certain factors can delay or limit the onset at birth: premature birth, cesarean section, hormonal disorders, significant blood loss, etc.

Do not hesitate to request a personalized evaluation from one birth attendant or to a healthcare professional.

Supporting the implementation of breastfeeding involves frequent breastfeeding of the baby, skin-to-skin contact, manual or mechanical stimulation...
There is no "lack" of colostrum in the first days: the baby's needs are largely covered, even with a few milliliters.

Is colostrum important if I don't want to breastfeed? Can we only give colostrum?

Yes! Even if you choose not to continue breastfeeding, offering colostrum to your baby for the very first hours or days provides valuable immunity. This gesture is sometimes called "golden breastfeeding" or "short-term breastfeeding" and benefits from scientific consensus as for its virtues for the prevention of diseases at the beginning of life.

💖 A colostrum donation, even temporary, is a wonderful gift for your baby's health and adaptation to ectopic life.

Your breastfeeding plan is yours, but remember to discuss it with your medical team
* This article does not replace the advice of a professional. Always ask your doctor.

Remember that every pregnancy is unique

Choosing a birth attendant can make all the difference in your experience of parenting.

Find all of the services offered in preparation for birth as well as the notice families supported by the Ysé Naissance team ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️